The Sunday News
Mashudu Mambo, Sunday News Reporter
A Bulawayo man is on the run after he allegedly duped about 100 job seekers of between $15 and $30 each by promising them jobs at a security company.
The man, identified as Prosper Siwela, allegedly demanded money ranging between $15 and $30 for registration for the people to train as security guards at Prosper Security. He is said to have worked with three accomplices, two of whom have been arrested in connection with the matter. The matter was reported to the police and a woman he had employed as the cashier and one of the trainers have been arrested.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Garikai Chipfunde confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway. He warned the public against bogus companies.
“We advise members of the public to treat these job adverts with caution, so that they do not lose money to bogus companies,” said Asst Insp Chipfunde.
Some of the job-seekers were gathered at Eveline High School ground where they had been conducting training for the past two weeks, waiting for one of the “instructors” to address them on the matter.
“Siwela registered us for the training on 17 January. We paid $15 each for the registration, but some who came after us paid $25 and $30. We underwent four-day training and he promised to employ us as undercover security officers at a city supermarket. We agreed on a $236 salary for 16 working days,” said an agitated Mr Goodmore Dengu.
Another victim Mr Bukhosi Tshuma said Siwela disappeared when he was supposed to pay them.
“We started work on 23 January at a supermarket. We would go into the shop and monitor while guards were checking receipts or searching bags.
“We compiled reports, which we surrendered to him and nothing was suspicious since we believed him and followed orders.
“Last week some were deployed at a company in Belmont but the company displaced them, saying they had no contract with such a company.”
“Last week, he sent us messages saying we should come and collect our money for the six days we had worked as he wanted to go out of town.
“When we got to the premises he was renting along Fort Street between 4th and 5th Avenue, the company was said to have relocated.
“They told us he was out of town. He is nowhere to be found, even his phone is not going through,’ said Mr Bukhosi Tshuma.
